Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 victory over Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. Despite injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, the Gunners secured three points thanks to goals from Martin Odegaard and an own goal from Georginio Rutter.
Odegaard broke the deadlock in the first half, firing low past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after being set up by Bukayo Saka. The captain's strike was his best performance of the season, earning a match-high rating of 9 from Express Sport.
Arsenal doubled their lead shortly after half-time when Declan Rice's corner was headed into his own net by Rutter. Brighton pulled one back through Diego Gomez, who capitalised on a rebound from a shot that hit the post, but the Gunners held on for the win.
Rice, deployed at right-back in Timber's absence, was outstanding with a rating of 8, replicating his midfield drives and winning duels. David Raya also made a crucial save, tipping Yankuba Minteh's curling shot over the bar to preserve the lead.
Defender Myles Lewis-Skelly struggled with a 5 rating after a late call-up for the injured Calafiori, while summer signing Viktor Gyokeres also received a 5 after failing to convert clear chances. Leandro Trossard showed flashes against his former club but faded in the second half.
